Leader: Palestinians themselves should decide their own fate

Tehran, June 11, IRNA - Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Sunday that the fate of Palestine should be determined by Palestinians, including Muslims, Jews and Christians, who originally lived in the historical land of Palestine.

In a meeting with a group of university professors, intellectuals, and researchers, Ayatollah Khamenei said “Today, democracy is a modern method, which is accepted by the entire world. We said that to determine the fate of the historical country of Palestine, they must refer to the people of Palestine and this proposal has been registered at the United Nations as the Islamic Republic’s opinion.”

The Leader added 'A referendum must be conducted among Palestinians, who have lived there for the past 80 or 100 years, including Muslims, Jews and Christians, both inside our outside the occupied territories. Then what they vote for should be done. Is this a bad idea? The European countries refuse to understand this.”

Referring to a recent tour of European countries by the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu aimed at undermining Iran's standing and influence in the region, the Supreme Leader said, “The oppressor child killer goes to other countries playing the victim that Iran wants to destroy several millions of its population. ”

“That European audience listens to him, shakes head and does not say that it is the Israelis who are currently committing these crimes in Gaza and al-Quds,” the Leader noted.

Ayatollah Khamenei said that currently Iran is the only country in the world, which has the highest number of enemies among arrogant governments and has the highest number of supporters among the masses in many countries.

Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated that the prestige that the Islamic Republic has in many countries, including neighboring and other countries, is not matched by any other country and no other country is as much prestigious and has as many supporters as Iran has. This explains why the Islamic Republic has wicked and determined enemies, he added.

Ayatollah Khamenei also referred to domestic production of 20 percent enriched uranium, citing it as an outstanding example of the Iranian youths' talent and capabilities.

'At a time when they set numerous conditions for sale of 20 percent enriched uranium to Iran, thanks to the efforts of the youths and through steadfastness we achieved 20 percent enriched uranium. Quite surprised and hard to believe the world realized that we no longer needed American, Russia and French uranium.'

The talented people who can accomplish such a wonderful thing are certainly able to increase the output of Iranian oil wells, Ayatollah Khamenei said.

Prior to Ayatollah Khamenei's remarks, 13 professors from various universities and higher education centers set forth various issues for discussion which lasted for two hours.

At the end of the meeting, the guests attended congregational prayers under leadership of Ayatollah Khamenei before taking part in iftar (fast breaking) reception.